Intolerance

Seated beside privilege 
overhearing bitter conversation 
as they drank skinny latte
from an opulent overflowing cup.
 
Handbags of one month's rent
lay nonchalant on the seats
draped in designer coats
piled three generations deep.

Conversational danger, 
rise of crime
progress the dysfunction 
resulting in decline
digital fears imagined 
haunting suburbia
confrontational talkshow 
broadcaster of dread


Muslims, immigrants, transgender 
feminists, coeliac and dairy free
must be tolerant of the intolerance
and their allergies, allergic to change


The elders gaze into the distance
searching for the Ireland once known
longing for the comfort of status quo
priests, white doctors, free hate speech.

Ciaran Burke